Refrigerating apparatus



July 21, 1936. c. E. QUINN REFRIGERATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov.` 14, 1934 (rrll INVENTQR. C/ara E. Quinn ATTORNEYS I w taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Patented July '21, 1936 PATENT oFFlcE BEFRIGEBATING APPARATUS Clara E. Quinn, Mount Vernon, Ill.

' Application November 14, 1934, Serial No. 752,905

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in refrigerating apparatus of the type employing solid primary refrigerants and`liquid secondary refrigerants.

The basic object of this invention is to provide an improved form of rrefrigerating and storage Y cooler for liquids, such as milk. for example; of the primary-secondary type. A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for progressively cooling milk and' the like in successive stages toreduce its temperature from 104 to 108 F., the normal temperature of raw milk, to approximately 40 F., and storing it in that apparatus. 1

These and many other objects as will appear from the following description are secured by means of the invention herein disclosed.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction, arrangement and relative w location ofparts, all as will be fully set forth below.

In the drawngs,- W t Figure 1 is a vertical, central, longitudinal,

cross-sectional view through one form of de-l w vice in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof: Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l; and- Figure 4 is a detailed. cross-sectional view The invention is illustrated in the drawings in the form of an outer cabinet I divided into a number of smaller compartments by inner separated cabinets 2, 3 and II. The outer and inner cabinets 3g are arranged in spaced relation and the space therebetweenis filled with some suitable heat insulating material. such as wood, cork, and the like, as indicated at 5. Fitting in the compartments at the upper-left and right hand ends of d@ the cabinet are the closed metal containers 6 and' 'I which are formed with depressions or pockets at the top, which pockets have the bottom walls 9 and I0 upon which blocks of solid refrigerants, such as solid carbon dioxide, may directly rest.

w i Each of these compartments is provided with a removable cover or closure member I2 and I 3, respectively. Between these two compartments is a space which is lined by a metal wall I5 and having a bottom 33. This space is normally closed by means of a removable cover I 4.

Mounted in the upper end of this space is a pan or container I6 having a. bottom which slopes towards the center. At the center is an apertured depression, channel or gutter Il, as

will be clear'irom Figures 1 and. The apertures are indicated at I6'. Extending between the end walls of'the lining for this space is a double walled partition I8 whichY slopes from a center ridge downwardly to the ends which are 5 apertured as indicated at I9 in Figures 1 and 3. A second double walled partition 20 is mounted below the partition I8 and in this case slopes towards the center to form a ridge having a plurality of apertures 2| therethrough. A third 10 double walled partition 22 is mounted as shown in Figure 1, sloping from a center ridge downwardly to the ends and provided with apertures .along the ends as indicated at 23. Finally mounted below this last double walled partition is a pan 2li which slopes towards the center at which is provided an opening in which the spout 25 is mounted. At 26 are indicated milk cans or other suitable containers for receiving the milk or other'iluid as it is discharged from the spout 20 25.

At the ends oi' the double walled partition I 8 .are several pipes or conduits 21 which connect the space formed by the double walls of the partitions with the containers 6 and 1. At the ridge of the partition I8 is a pipe or pipes 28 which connect the space between the double walls with either or both the containers 6 and 'I at a higher level than the point oi connection of the pipes 2l. At the end of the double walled partition are pipes 29 which connect to the tanks 6 and 'I and at the ridge is a pipe 3B which connects to either or both of the containers 6 and 'I at a diiierent level. At the ends of the double walled partition 22 are pipes 23 which connect the space thereof with the tanks 6 and I and at the top is a connection 32 which connects the high point of the space with either or both the containers 5 and 1. The connections 3I and 32 are likewise made to the containers at diiierent levels. The space between the pan 26 and the bottom 33 is connected to container 6 by the pipe 34 and container 'l by the pipe 35 and at different levels as indicated. Connected near the top of the container G by means of a pipe all is an expansion tank 36 which is provided with a filler and/or overflow connection 3l. As indicated in Figures 2 and 3, the storage space for holding the cans is accessible through a door or removable closure member 38 in the side of the cabinet. In the use of the device the secondary refrigerant, which may be any one oi.' a number of liquids suitable for tliepurpose, is filled into the system through the connection. 31. The level of the liquid at normal temperatures' is such as to leave room for expansion thereof into the tank 36 if the temperature should rise above that normal level. The liquid lls containers S and l and the spaces in the double walled partitions i, 20 and 22 and the space between the pan 2t and the bottom 33, as well as the various connecting pipes. The solidrefrigerant ii is placed upon the conducting walls 9 and il), if desired, and in accordance with knowledge in this art a layer of insulating material of suitable thickness may be interposed between these Walls and the refrigerant block. In accordance with well known principles of thermosyphonic action, the secondary refrigerant will circulate between the containers 6 and 'l and the spaces in the double walled partitions and the space between the pan 2li and the bottom 33 to transfer heat from those spaces and the adjacent walls to the solid refrigerant where it is given up in accomplishing the work of heating up the solid refrigerant.

The milk or other liquid to be refrigerated is poured onto the pan i6 and the cover replaced. This liquid escapes onto the cold partition i@ through the apertures i6. It flows down over this partition in a thin sheet and escapes into the lower partition through the apertures i9. It flows to the center apertures 2i in a thin sheet and then down into the lower partition 22 and outwardly in a thin sheet to and through the apertures 23. From these it falls onto the bottom of pan 20 and flows in a thin body to and through the spout 25 onto the cans 26. In traversing these cold surfaces the milk is gradually lowered in temperature from the norrhal temperature of 100 to 105 F. of raw milk to the suitable storage temperature of about 40 F. It'

will be noted that the cooling surfaces it, 20 and 22 are progressively colder because their connections to the containers 6 and li are at progressively lower levels. As is well known, because of the tendency of the secondary refrigerant to circulate the colder liquid will be. at the bottom of the containers 6 and l and will beprogressively warmer to the top. As will be apparent from the drawings, the secondary refrigerant will pass to the space in the double walled partition i8 through the connections 2l and travel upwardly and back again through the connection28. In the case of the double walled partition 20 the iiuid will pass to the space therein through pipe 30 and return upwardly to and through the connections 29. In the case of the double walled partition 22 the secondary refrigerant will enter the space through the connections 3| and return through the pipe 32.

It is, of course, apparent that the cooled liquid when collected in the cans 26 may be removed for any use, or may be left in the refrigerator. The storage space in this refrigerator will be maintained at approximately 40 F. by reason of the thermosyphonic circulation of the air in the space carrying the heat of the space to the metal wall 33 where it is absorbed by the circulating secondary refrigerant in contact with that wall.

From the above description it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention herein disclosed may be` embodied in other physical forms Without departure from the scope thereof. I do not therefore, desire to be strictly limited to the disclosure as given for purposes of illustration but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

What I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A refrigerating apparatus as described comprising a heat insulatedcontainer, a plurality of metal partitions disposed one above another within said container, said partitions alternately sloping in opposite directions so that uids may ilow successively thereover, refrigerating means comprising a closed circulatory system for a second- 5 ary refrigerant arranged to circulate the secondary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with said'partitions, and means within said container for supporting a primary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with the circulatory system. l0

' 2. A refrigerating apparatusas described comprising a heat insulated cabinet, a plurality of double walled metal partitions within said cabinet disposed one above another and arranged so that uids may ow thereover in succession, a container for a secondary refrigerant,` connections between said partitions and said container, and means within said cabinet for supporting a solid refrigerant in heat exchange relation with said container.

3. A refrigerating apparatus as described comprising a heat insulated cabinet, a plurality of. double walled metal partitions disposed one above another and arranged so that fluids may flow thereover in succession, a container for a secondary refrigerant, connections between said partitions and said container, and means for supporting a solid refrigerant in heat exchange relation with said container, said connectionsincluding supply and return conduits between each partition and the container and arranged respectively at different levels whereby the partitions are maintained at different temperatures.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus as described, the combination comprising a heat insulated cabinet, a pair of sealed containers Within said cabinet each adapted to support a solid refrigerant in contact therewith, a plurality of double walledsloping partitions mounted within said cabinet, supply connections from said containers to said 40 partitions, and return connections from said partitions to said containers whereby a secondary re frigerant may be circulated from the containers to and through the double walled partitions.

5. A refrigerating apparatus as described comprising a heat insulated cabinet, a plurality of sloping partitions disposed within the cabinet and arranged in spaced relation one above another, means comprising a closed circulatory system for a secondary refrigerant arranged to circulate the secondary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with the partitions and maintain them at pro-1 gresssively decreasing temperatures from the top to the bottom and a container within said cabinet for a primary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with said closed circulatory system.

6. A refrigerating apparatus as described comprising a heat insulated cabinet, a plurality of sloping partitions disposed within the cabinet and arranged in spaced relation one above another, meanscomprising a closed circulatory system for a secondary refrigerant arranged to circulate the secondary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with the partitions and maintain them at progressively decreasing temperatures from the top l to the bottom, a Vcontainer within said cabinet for a primary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with said closed circulatory system. and a receptacle mounted above the partitions to receive a liquid to be refrigerated and arranged to gradually discharge it onto the uppermost partition.

7. A refrigerating apparatus as described comprising a heat insulated cabinet, a plurality of sloping partitions disposed within the cabinet `and arranged in spaced relation one above another, means comprising a closed circulatory system for a secondary refrigerant arranged to circulate the secondary refrigerant in heat exchangereceptacle arranged below the lowermost partition and forming part of said circulatory system.

8. A refrigerating, apparatus as described comprising a heat insulated cabinet, a plurality of sloping partitions disposed within the cabinet and arranged in spaced relation one abovel another, means comprising a closed circulatory system for a secondary refrigerant arranged to circulate the secondary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with the partitions and maintain them at progressively decreasing temperatures from the top to the bottom, a container within said cabinet for a primary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with said closed circulatory system, a'receptacle mounted above the partitions to receive a liquid to be refrigerated and arranged to gradually discharge it onto the uppermost partition; and a refrigerated receptacle arranged below the lowermost partition, said receptacle having a discharge spout for delivering the liquid to a point therebelow.

9. A refrigerating apparatus as described cornprising a heat insulated cabinet, a plurality oi! sloping partitions disposed within the cabinet andv arranged in spaced relation one above another, means comprising a closed circulatory system for a, secondary refrigerant arranged to circulate the secondary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with the partitions and maintain them at prolgressively decreasing temperatures from the top to the bottom, a .container within said cabinet for a primary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with said -closed circulatory system, a receptacle mounted above the partitions to receive a liquid to be refrigerated and'arra'nged to gradually discharge it onto the uppermost partition,

and a refrigerated receptacle arranged below the l lowermost partition, said receptacle having a dischargev spout for delivering the liquid to a point therebelow, the refrigerated receptable below the lowermost partition having connections with and forming part of said circulatory system.

10. A refrigerating apparatus as described omprising a heat insulated cabinet, a plurality of partitions mounted in said cabinet one above the other so that a fluid may flow successively thereover from the top partition to the bottom partition, a closed container for a liquid secondary refrigerant adapted to support a primary refrigerant in heat exchange relation therewith and means for circulating the secondary refrigerant from and to said container in heat exchange relation with said partition for maintaining the partitionsl at successively lower temperatures from the topmost partition to the bottommost partition.

11. In a refrigerating apparatus as described, the combination comprising a heat insulated cabinet, a plurality of double walled metal partitions disposed one above the other within said cabinet so that fluids may dow thereover successively downwardly. a container of liquid vsecondary refrigerantadapted to be maintained at a desired temperature and a plurality of conduits comprising supply and return connections from said container to said` partitions for maintaining the partitions at successively lower temperatures from the topmost partition downwardly, said supply connections being made to said container at points of inherently different temperature.

12. A refrigerating apparatus as described comprising a heat insulated container having a compartment therein, a plurality of metal partitions disposed one above the other within said container. said partitions alternately sloping in opposite directions and having means to direct liquids so that they may flow successively thereover to a point of discharge, and a refrigerating means comprising a closedv circulatory system for a secondary refrigerant arranged to circulate the secondary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with said partitions, a portion of saidA closed circulatory system being exposed to said compartmentto refrigerate it, and means within said container for supporting a primary refrigerant in heat exchange relation with said circulatory system.

. CLARA E. QUINN. 

